Part 25
Altezza Pov
I deliberately waited in Antony’s office while the women were getting ready. Antony entered shortly after, locking the room from the inside.
“Are you serious about her, Brother?” he asked without beating around the bush, just like Antony usually did. I thought that after getting to know Claire, he would at least become a bit more chatty. But that wasn’t the case.
“Serious in what sense, Brother?”
“You know what I mean,” he replied. “She’s a good girl,” his cousin said sincerely. I just nodded in agreement. “It’s not right to play with a girl as good and innocent as her.”
“I’m not playing with her, Brother. Our relationship is mutual. I help her, and she helps me,” I replied matter-of-factly.
“So, what’s the endgame here?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you’re not fully recovered, Al. Jovanka’s name still lingers in your heart. Don’t let that person ruin your relationship,” Antony coldly warned, making it clear that he didn’t like my ex-wife.
Jovanka. Why is that name mentioned again after I’ve forgotten about it? Yes, I truly haven’t thought about that woman for a while. I don’t even want to know where she is.
“I have completely ended my relationship with her right before I started my relationship with Adaline,” I continued honestly. “Before she left, I had already divorced her. And all matters regarding my promises to her have been settled with her lawyer.
“Everything is over. She’s no longer my wife, and I’m no longer her husband.”
“Does Adaline know about you two?” I shook my head. ‘Adaline doesn’t need to know, right?’
“I think it’s better if you tell her about Jovanka before you go any further, Al,” Antony’s voice sounded full of warning. “I want the best for you both. Maybe right now, there are no feelings between you two. But we don’t know what will happen in the future.
“It’s better to avoid the worst from the beginning before we regret it in the end.”
“Nothing bad will happen, Antony,” I said confidently. “That woman left of her own accord. I gave her a choice, and she gave me an answer. So if she ever comes back, she has no right to disturb my life.”
I even hesitated to mention her name. I didn’t really know what I felt about that woman now.
Hatred or just ordinary anger? One thing’s for sure, I no longer feel love and longing for her. Has my heart really become this numb to her so easily?
“That’s what you say now. But you won’t know how you’ll feel when that woman is in front of you again.”
“Are you wishing for me to fall in love with her again?” I asked sarcastically. Antony just stared back at me flatly.
“You know what I mean. And you clearly know that I was the first one to oppose your decision to marry her.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“However, when it comes to dealing with women and love, no matter how smart our minds are as men, there will inevitably be times when we think irrationally.”
“I don’t know,” I said hesitantly. “I just want to take things one step at a time. For me, my dealings with that woman are already finished. And now, I just want to start anew with someone new, a new personality.
“In the future, whether there will be love between us or not, I won’t try to guess. I’ll just let everything flow as it is,” I answered softly. Because I myself am not sure about what I want, what I need right now.
We sat in silence in the room, each lost in our own thoughts. I was busy with my thoughts, and so was Antony.
“Son, are you both ready?” Uncle Arthur’s knock interrupted my reverie. I glanced at my wristwatch, and it was indeed time for us to go to Claire’s house for the engagement event.
Antony left the room first, and I followed him from behind. At the same time, I saw Adaline and Letizia coming out of their room looking more beautiful and elegant.
Adaline seemed to gaze at Antony in admiration. And for some reason, seeing the sparkle of admiration in those golden brown eyes suddenly made my chest tighten.
Gian’s whistle diverted my attention and Adaline’s as well. I turned towards my mischievous cousin and then heard him shout.
“Aunt! I really want Adaline! Aunt, ask Altezza to find another woman!”
My hand itched to slap that thin face, but I restrained myself as much as possible. Instead, I redirected my focus to Adaline as my mother came rushing with a shoe in her hand.
“Curse you, you cursed nephew!” I faintly heard my mother’s shout and Gian’s laughter. But my gaze couldn’t shift away from Adaline, and the laughter on her face that made her look even more beautiful.
Unconsciously, my feet took steps toward that petite figure. The beautiful girl was wearing an outfit that I intentionally bought at Mamma’s favorite boutique some time ago. I deliberately chose it so that I could wear matching batik patterns.
When I asked the store attendant to find matching outfits, the clothes truly caught my attention. I remembered the time I visited her house, and she was wearing a light blue blouse that highlighted her fair skin.
And now, look at Adaline, truly looking stunning. The chosen outfit perfectly complemented her figure, highlighting certain parts that I wanted to see. Her slender neck, fair skin, and the curves of her petite body.
“Mamma, we’re ready.” I also paid no attention when Padre tried to persuade Mamma. “We’re leaving in five minutes. Come on, finish up your makeup quickly.” In my eyes right now, there was only Adaline.
“Mrs. Altezza Quirino, you look absolutely amazing this afternoon,” I sincerely praised.
Actually, there were still many compliments in my head that I wanted to express. However, I didn’t know which sentence was the most appropriate to say first.
I saw the girl biting her full lips. Somehow, there was an impulse in me to try to feel those lips. Would it be sweet? What about the texture? Once again, I tried to restrain my desire with all my might.
It’s not just this time that those lips looked tempting. Even in the past few days, those lips have captivated my attention.
Alright, a little touch wouldn’t hurt, right?
I reached out my left hand. I let the back of my index finger gently stroke her face. I could see the girl shivering with ticklishness. I felt like it wasn’t just me who was tormented by this touch.
“I can’t wait to see you in a wedding dress. Definitely more beautiful than this,” I uttered uncontrollably.
Yes. I did imagine the girl wearing a white wedding dress with a beautiful tiara on her head. Meanwhile, I myself wore a wedding suit with flowers in my chest pocket.
“Let’s go!” that statement made me retract my hand slowly. I really wanted to groan and scold anyone who dared to stop me from touching my woman.
‘My woman’? Did I just claim Adaline as my woman? Antony warned me just now, but I’ve already started what my cousin is worried about.
Forget it. Forget about problems that may not happen. Now it’s time to go pick up my cousin’s beloved.